With every university course, there are bound to be units that are disappointing or under par. I’ve discussed in the past some of my criticisms about the journalism course here at Lincoln, but today I’m going to sing some praise.
The sport journalism unit is new to this year. My group of around 30 or so are, essentially, guinea pigs. I have to admit, I was worried before we started. What if I’ve made a mistake, I thought, dropping newspaper production in favour of sport? How would that affect my degree?
I needn’t have worried. Without doubt, Sport has been the most positive and rewarding unit we have taken this year. Our tutor, John Cafferkey, offers insight, fact and analysis on a variety of sport and media-related topics that will help us become better sports reporters. And plus, the banter that pings across the room creates a terrific working atmosphere.
But that’s not the key to the success of the unit. John decided, early on, that he would get in guest speakers to talk to us on an informal basis. A fortnight or so ago we had Keith Alexander (pictured), ex-Lincoln manager and now director of football at Bury. Keith’s talk gave an incredibly fascinating insight into the relationship between a manager and the media. Great anecdotes flew out every minute. Keith’s stories of his time at Peterborough United were particularly interesting, but mainly because I just can’t stand Peterborough (Boooo….hiss… etc. Come on the U’s!).
Yesterday, the Lincolnshire Echo’s Leigh Curtis came in. I’ve been at uni for nearly two and half years now, and I can’t remember a session as useful and interesting as yesterday’s. The two hours flew by. Leigh’s passion for the job rubbed off on everyone in the room. The Q+A session ran and ran, and Leigh answered each with refreshing honestly and without a show-offish nature that I’ve known some successful journalists to revel in.
So, I’d like to thank John, Keith and Leigh for making sport so interesting this year.
Agree totally mate. 100%.